Chapter 35 – Revenge of the Enemy
Mirrored Temple – Radish Ruins
"Woah…this place is huge!" Arle said as Lidelle, Adeleine, and I joined the others inside of Radish Ruins. It was in fact huge. It honestly looked more like a ruined castle than a simple temple. There were the destroyed drapes, the medieval-styled windows, the pillars. It was all there.
But one thing that was different from a regular castle was the fact there were waterfalls forming from the crumbled rocks that were stuck on certain random spots. It made this place all the more mysterious.
"So this is the Mirror World, huh?" Adeleine asked. "I've heard so much about it, but I've never been here on my own."
"And this is supposed to be like a maze?" Maguro asked.
"Something like that. There's actually multiple pathways we can go. Each with a different endpoint." Lidelle explained. "At least, that's what Bandanna-Dee said."
"Yeah. You got it right, Lidelle." Bandanna-Dee wrote on his board.
"Ugh. A maze with multiple endpoints? I don't have the time or patience for that. I'm warping to the true end." Marx said.
"Wh-Wh-What?! And you're just gonna leave us here?!" Raffina yelled.
"Hey, you managed to walk all across Dream Land, two other planets, AND a moon. I'm sure you can make your way through a maze. Plus, it's good exercise. *giggle*" Marx then teleported out of sight from us. Once again to who knows where.
"Gah! That little…"
"Unbelievable." Adeleine said with a facepalm to her face.
"Uh…does he do that a lot?" Raina asked.
"Unfortunately, yes." Ringo said.
"Well, whatever!" Raffina shouted. "We can do this without him, right Amitie?!"
…
…
"Hello? Amitie?"
"H-Huh? O-Oh, yeah. We can totally do this. Hahahaha…." I tried laughing it off.
Everyone looked at me weirdly. But then let the whole thing slide over as we started exploring this place.
*sigh* That was close.
To be honest, I wasn't really okay at the moment. I've had this tense feeling in my nerves ever since we came into this world. I know I said (to myself) that I need to look out for him, but he wouldn't just show up out of nowhere and attack us, would he?
Then again, he already did it once before. I need to keep my guard up, just in case.
It's been a couple minutes since entering Radish Ruins and my tensed-up nerves haven't died down at all. Midway through, I switched to Mirror just in case something did happen.
"Right now, we were deeper inside the ruins. And there these creepy statues with even creepier faces on them were everywhere. It rose my nerves up a little more than before. And now I was really on edge.
"Poyo poyo?"
"Huh? Oh, I'm okay, Kirby. It's just…something's a bit off about this place."
"Off? Off like how?" Misuki asked me.
"Not really sure. But it feels like…someone's watching us."
"Wh-What? H-How do you know that?" Ringo asked with a little nervousness inside her.
"I just have a feeling…!" And at that moment, I felt something approaching from behind us. I quickly turned around and placed my hand in front of me.
Seemingly, blocking an attack.
"I knew it. It is you."
"Hmph…I'm impressed, Amitie. You noticed way sooner than I thought you would."
"Aw, geez. It's Dark Meta Knight." Ribbon said with a little fear inside her.
Dark Meta Knight took his sword off my hand and landed right in front of us.
(Oh, and if you're wondering about my hand…it's fine. No cuts or anything. I think it's because of the Mirror Ability.)
"What are you doing sneaking up on us?" I asked.
"What do you think, Amitie? Hearing that you had come back to the Mirror World, I had to see for myself if you're really getting stronger. So far…it's an improvement from last time. But you're still rather we…"
"D-Don't say it! Don't say that word!" Arle, Ringo, and Misuki shouted.
"Right. Of course."
Oh, yeah. THAT word. I HATE that word.
"So you follow us for who knows how long and almost insult me about my powers? Anything else?" I asked.
"Yes. I shall be accompanying you for the rest of the path here."
"Huh?" I gotta admit, I was confused as hell at this point.
"Before you and your party showed up, an outsider snuck into this world and corrupted the warp mirrors. People here are unable to go to the other areas as they please. And it's causing quite a problem."
"The Mirror World…corrupted?" Francisca asked.
"And not only that, but that same person or people have left a Demon Beast guarding the true exit to the ruins."
"Can't you beat it? I mean you're basically a stronger version of the original Meta Knight, right?" I asked.
"I already made such an attempt. But lost not long after. And had to flee from the battle."
"Huh. And you're asking us to do it instead? How does this relate to us, anyway?"
Dark Meta Knight started to chuckle a bit before giving out his reason…
"Because, young Light Soul…said Demon Beast is guarding a Puyo Soul."
"WHAT?!"
…And it was a really good reason, too.
"How did a Puyo Soul get into the Mirror World?!" Adeleine asked.
"That, Adeleine…I do not know. But it's best if you go grab it as soon as possible. That is…if you accept my request, that is."
"Well…what should we do, Ami?" Misuki asked me.
I gave this news some really good thought. I still have a few trust issues with Dark Meta Knight. But what he's saying makes a lot of sense. There's no doubt in my mind that Amitwo is the outsider that corrupted the Mirror World and left the Demon Beast here to try and stop us. As to what Demon Beast it is…that's where the doubts came in. If Dark Meta Knight wasn't able to beat this thing, how am I supposed to do it?
Then again…if I do, there's a Puyo Soul waiting for me to claim it. So the risk has a very high reward.
"Alright. We'll do it." I said.
"Like you had a choice in the matter."
"Yeah, yeah. I know."
"So, how far is this Demon Beast?" Ringo asked.
"Not far at all. It's just a few meters up ahead."
"Wait, hold on. I'm confused. What's a Demon Beast?" Yu asked.
"And what's a Puyo Soul?" Raina asked.
"We'll explain on the way there." Raffina said. And Yu and Raina optimally agreed to it.
"Alright. Let's go." I said. We then continued our way through the ruins. Now having a goal waiting for us at the end.
As we got closer to the supposedly true end of the ruins, Raffina and Adeleine explained to Yu and Rania what Puyo Souls and Demon Beasts were. While Yu got excited about the Puyo Souls (mainly the "soul" part of the name. We had to further explain to her that they're not a quick way to turn her back into a ghost.), Raina, on the other hand…looked really worried about the Demon Beasts. Especially the one that's guarding the next Puyo Soul.
"U-Uh, guys. A-About this "Demon Beasts" thing. I…I-I think I know which one is guarding this "Puyo Soul" thing."
"Really? Which one?" Adeleine asked.
"U-Uh…I-I think I remember it being a…snake(?)"
"Huh? A snake?"
"There's no snake Demon Beast." Ribbon said.
"W-Well, it was a snake. It was big, kinda tall, somewhat of a metal body, and horns on its head."
"Huh. That actually sounds…familiar." Adeleine said.
"Do you remember anything else, Raina?" Arle asked.
"W-Well…I-I do remember it having an evil glare in its eyes. I saw them when it was strangling me because Amitie told it to."
"Wait, what?! She told it to strangle you?!"
"Amitie really enjoyed torturing me. She would do it until I broke down crying, begged for my life, or just passed out as a whole."
"Raina! Why didn't you say anything?!" Raffina yelled.
"I-I'm sorry. I-It's just that I was so scared and…I thought if I did tell, I'll die and…and…WAAAAAAAA!" Raina then broke down and cried hard tears of fear.
Amitwo, you sadistic little…
"*sigh* Come here." Raffina said as she grabbed Rania and held her in a hug until she calmed down.
"*sniff* I-I'm sorry, Sis."
"It's okay, Raina. You don't have to worry about that anymore. As your, uh…big sister, I promise that I'll protect you."
"R…Really?"
"No matter what. I won't let someone bully me down. Literally AND figuratively."
"S-Sis…I LOVE YOU!" Raina returned her original self's hug as she cheered on and on about how Raffina was the best thing that happened to her.
"Okay, okay. I get it. just let go. You're squishing me."
"Oops. Sorry, Raffina."
"*sigh* Geez, you really are my clone. Your strength is brutal."
"Hehhehhehheh…" Raina giggled a little.
"But still…a snake-like Demon Beast? The heck can that be?" Adeleine asked. And as she continued to think about it, something started glowing in the distance. It was a really bright light that nearly blinded the way forward. But as we got closer to it, we got a good view of what it was.
"Guys, look!" Ribbon yelled.
"It's a Puyo Soul!" Arle cheered. "And it's yellow, too!"
"Poyo poyo!" Kirby then started running towards it. Offering to grab it himself.
"W-Wait, Kirby. That thing's really heavy." I said as I went after him. At first, I almost caught up to him.
Then…out of nowhere…
"RAAAWWWGGGHH!"
*swipe*
"Gah! Kirby!"
I don't know where he went, but Kirby was snatched up by something and was no longer in front of me.
"Kirby! Where'd you go?!" Adeleine asked as she walked up next to me.
We then started hearing noises. Really loud ones. They sounded like…a rollercoaster going dangerously fast.
Then after the noises stopped, something dropped right in front of the two of us. And not long after looking at it, it was extremely familiar.
In a bad way.
"*terrified scream* It's this thing again!" I shouted in fear.
"The Coily Rattler!" Adeleine added.
"Th-That's it! Th-That's the thing Amitie tortured me with!" Raina stuttered in fear while hiding behind Raffina.
"Y-You mean THIS is the Demon Beast?!" Ribbon asked.
"And it's the same one that I lost to before." Dark Meta Knight added.
"Grr…This thing has a lot of nerve showing its face again." Raffina said in a threating tone.
"Guy, look! In its mouth!" Ringo shouted as she pointed to the thing. And in its mouth…was Kirby's unconscious body.
"Kirby!" We shouted.
The Coily Rattler then threw Kirby up in the air and caught it in its mouth. Eating him whole.
"RAAAWWWGGGHH!"
"*terrified shriek* It ate Kirby!" Lidelle and Ribbon shouted in fear and total shock.
"You giant nuisance." I started talking while slowly getting angry. "First, you nearly kill me. Then, you bring Amitwo into existence. And NOW, you eat my buddy. You've been a pain in my butt for the longest time! And I'm going to make you pay!"
"A-Amitie…" Adeleine said.
"Same goes for me!" Raffina joined. "I'm going to make you suffer the same damn way you made Raina suffer!"
Adeleine looked at both of us with a worried look. But then the look turned into a grin as she stood next to us.
"Hold on, Kirby! We'll get you out of there!" She shouted.
"*chuckle* This outta be good." Dark Meta Knight said as he took out his sword and stood next to us. From the looks of it, it was going to be us four against this nuisance of a snake.
I won't back down. I need to save Kirby!
"RAAAWWWGGGHH!"
"PUYO BATTLE!"
BOSS: Vs. Coily Rattler
We didn't waste any time stacking up puyos once they started falling through the ruin's ceiling. We wanted to make each wall as big as possible. Because since it's working for Amitwo, there was no doubt that the Coily Rattler was going to be a tough enemy to fight.
While we were stacking them up the normal way, the Coily Rattler was somehow using some kind of telekinesis to stack up a wall. It made kinda sense. Considering that it had no arms.
It was actually kinda neat-o, too.
"Alright, guys." I said. "Let's give it a shot. Reflect Force!"
"Neige!"
"Brush Slash!"
"Triple Thrust!"
We each fired our attacks at the Coily Rattler…only for it to block them all with a single swipe of its tail.
"What?!" Misuki shouted.
"That was like nothing to it!" Arle shouted.
"RAAAWWWGGGHH!"
The Coily Rattler then started spitting out multiple rocks that were engulfed in flames. They were in rapid session, too. Dark Meta Knight and I blocked most of them, but some did land near us. Pushing us back a bit and leaving patches of fire on the ground. It then rocketed itself into the air. It went so high up that we couldn't see it anymore. Which got us worried.
"Wh-Where'd it go?!" I shouted.
It didn't take long for us to find out the answer. Because just seconds later, the Coily Rattler came back down and land right in front of me. It had its tail raised up and waved it around…
*POW*
*POW*
*POW* *POW* *POW* *POW* *POW* *POW*
…before hitting me multiple times with extreme power. The last one striking me so hard it flew me back to a nearby wall. Slamming up against it in sheer brutal force.
"Ouchie…" I said as I winced in pain. Nearly shedding tears from my eyes.
"Amitie! Are you okay?!" Ringo shouted as she and Maguro ran up to check on me.
"I…I-I'm fine. I-I just…GAAAAH!" As I tried to get up, I felt an excruciating pain in my left leg. Falling back down and releasing the tears I was holding in earlier.
"Looks like you hurt your leg. Stay down. You can't make it worse than it already is." Maguro said.
"B-B-But…B-But Kirby…"
"RAAAWWWGGGHH!"
That's when we noticed the Coily Rattler was wrapped around one of the pillars in the far back. We didn't even notice it going back there because of what it just did to me. This thing was really fast.
It then started shooting more flame-covered rocks ate us. Specifically, as us three. They were a lot faster than the first batch. And were somewhat bigger, too.
"Oh, no!" Ringo shouted in fear.
"Ringo! Help me out here!" Francisca shouted as stood next to Ringo. Bringing out a snowflaked-shaped battle axe in her right hand.
Whoa! What is that thing?!
"I-I'll try! Sine!"
"Cisca Slash!"
While Ringo used her magic book to cast her spell, Francisca swung her snowflake axe to send out a bunch of icy mist to put out the fire rocks. The two were able to destroy every one. And no fire patches were created, either.
"Ha-ha! Solved it!" Ringo gloated.
"RAAAWWWGGGHH!"
The Coily Rattler was already doing its next attack. This time, spinning around the pillar at a really fast speed while it rose up the pillar. Then multiple parts of its body started raining down. Each part flowing on its own as it tried to hit us.
Luckily, they were all predictable to dodge. And the others were able to avoid them. But…one part was still missing.
It's head.
We looked all around. Not seeing the head anywhere. And knowing how fast this thing was, we were quickly running out of time.
"W-Woah. I-I'm actually terrified right now." Yu said as she shook in fear. "I-Is this a normal feeling when being alive? N-Now I hate being human even more!"
"Y-Yu. Y-You really need to stop…GAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" I was trying to tell Yu to stop complaining about being alive…when I felt even more excruciating pain on my already hurting leg.
As it turns out, the Coily Rattler's head had slammed onto my leg with brute force. Crushing it to the point where I felt my bones breaking. I was in serious pain. And I immediately started crying hard tears of pain once it got off my leg.
Not long after, it came back in front of us. Its body putting itself back together with electric sparks holding them in place.
"RAAAWWWGGGHH!"
"Amitie! Are you okay?!" Ribbon asked.
"*sniff* I-I…can't move! M-M-My leg…it hurts really bad! WAAAAAAA!" I continued screaming in pain while lying on the floor completely defenseless.
We heard the Coily Rattler laugh in like a snake-y way (if snakes could laugh, I mean) as it watched me suffer from the injuries it gave me. Seemingly proud of it all.
"You damn snake…I'll make you pay for that!" Raffina shouted.
"Sis!"
"Raina! Get back! It's too dangerous!"
"No! I mean let me fight with you!"
"Huh?!"
"This snake. My Amitie had powered it up to the point where it could kill someone eventually. And it looks like it's main target is your Amitie."
"Raina…why didn't you say this before?!"
"I'm sorry, Sis. But I was just too scared. Seeing this thing just show up out of nowhere…it reminded me of the horrible things it did to me while I was still with Amitie and the others. Even though they hurt a lot, Amitie never ordered it to kill me.
At first, I thought it was a blessing in disguise. But now, after what I just witnessed…I knew that she was only training it. Using me as a practice dummy so that when the time came, she could get this thing to kill your Amitie."
"Unbelievable…" Adeleine said.
"This clone is just pure evil…" Arle added.
"S-So now…i-if you don't mind…I-I want revenge. I-I want to destroy this monster and eventually Amitie, too. And I want to do both with my true self by my side!"
"R-Rania…" Raffina looked speechless. Hearing that from her clone, who even I have to admit wasn't that bright in the head…was rather unexpected.
But then, she grew a smile on her face and grabbed Rania's orange-marked hand with no regrets.
"Raina…Laissez-nous botter des culs!"
(Let us kick some ass!)
"Très bien!" Raina shouted with a nod. So I'm assuming that Raffina agreed to let her help.
They both turned to face the Coily Rattler. Both with a serious (and threatening) look on their faces.
"(We're going to end you!)" They both shouted in French.
"RAAAWWWGGGHH!" The Coily Rattler screeched as it prepared to do its tail again. It got closer to the Raffinas and was about to strike.
"G…Guys! L…L-Look out!" I struggled to say because of the pain in my leg.
"Just follow my lead, Raina."
"Alrighty, Sis."
As the Coily Rattler begun swinging its tail…
"Tekken Sensai!"
"Cérémonie d'été!"
…the two were blocking every single swipe! With their bare fists, even! And neither showed any sign of pain from it all!
Wh-What the?!
"Come on, Raina! This is what we trained for! No giving up!" Raffina yelled.
"Right, Sis!" Raina shouted.
"RAAAWWWGGGHH!"
"Ready?! And…"
"Hougeki Renkyaku!"
"Félicitations!"
Now the two were repeatedly kicking each and every part of the Coily Rattler's body apart from each other. The electric sparks not phasing them at all. They did this until the head was the only thing left standing.
And as it fell forward towards them both…
"Joou Ranbu!"
"Arroser bouillir!"
Both Raffinas kicked the Coily Rattler's head with such extreme and brutal power. The strike sent it straight up in the air, where it started to glow.
And then…
"RAAAWWWGgghhh…"
*BOOM*
…It exploded. Sprinkles of dust started falling from the sky. And along with it, came Kirby falling right down to us.
"Got ya!" Raffina said as she caught Kirby in her arms.
*sigh* Thank goodness, it's over.
"P…P-Poyo…"
"Kirby! Are you okay?!" Adeleine asked as she walked up next to the two Raffinas.
"Poyo? Poyo poyo poyo poyo."
"Oh, good. He says he's okay."
"*sigh* Well, that's a relief." Raffina said. "Being eaten by a giant snake isn't something people usually survive."
"Well, that's one friend rescued. Now, what about the other?"
"Poyo?"
"Gah. I-I think I got it. I-I just need a little balance support." I said as I was carried over to the group by Ringo and Maguro.
"Am, it really sounds like your leg is seriously broken." Ringo said.
"Is there a doctor we can go to?" Maguro asked.
"Well…Magolor's one. Technically." Adeleine said.
"What does "technically" mean?" Misuki asked.
"In his case…I really can't explain it."
Should I be worried?
"W-Well…Lemres is there with him. Maybe he can fix your leg, Amitie." Lidelle said.
"*sigh* I can only hope. But let's get this Puyo Soul, first."
"You all go on ahead." Dark Meta Knight said. "I must now return all the warp mirrors to their original state now that the corruption is gone."
"Fair enough. Thanks for the help."
Dark Meta Knight didn't respond and disappeared into the twisty thingy from the other two encounters. I was pretty ticked off that he didn't even acknowledge the kind jester. But then…
"You really are getting stronger, Light Soul. I can't wait for our final battle. *chuckle*"
Only I was able to hear that. But when I did, I grew a smile on my face and laughed a little to myself.
"Hey, Amitie. What's so funny?" Arle asked.
"Huh? Oh, it's nothing. Let's go get the Puyo Soul."
"Alright. If you say so."
We got to the next room and saw the Yellow Puyo Soul resting on a small pillar. Shinning as bright as it could. But we also saw Marx sleeping on top of it. Which got some of us angry.
And by "us", I mean Raffina and Adeleine. The latter eventually picked up a rock and threw it at him. Hitting him in the head.
"Ow!"
"Wake up, you useless God!" Adeleine yelled.
"Oh. Hey, guys. About time you showed up. I found the Yellow Puyo Soul and was keeping guard of it until you got here. You sure took your time, though."
"We took our time because we had to fight a giant metal snake, you idiot!" Raffina yelled.
"Hey, hey, hey. No need for insults. You survived, didn't ya?"
"Grr…" Both girls were getting agitated.
"Kero?"
"Huh? Hey, what was that?" Adeleine asked.
Then the answer showed up (or…hopped up) from behind the pillar. Us who knew him didn't really know what to say except…
"Huh? Dongurigaeru?"
"Kero! Kero kero!"
"Oh, yeah. Forgot about him. I found him hiding behind the pillar. I couldn't understand a word he said. So I gave up and went to sleep." Marx said.
"Wow, you are SO helpful." Raffina said sarcastically.
"Uh…Don-what?" Adeleine asked.
"Oh, right. It's Dongurigaeru. He's a frog from our world."
"Wow. So you guys even have frogs that can play Puyo?" Ribbon asked.
"Pretty much." Arle said. "If it lives, it can play Puyo."
"We've sure seen that a bunch of times." Bandanna-Dee wrote on his board.
"Hey, Lidelle." I turned to her.
"I know, Amitie." Lidelle said as she walked up to Dongurigaeru.
"Hey, Dongurigaeru. What are you doing here?"
"Kero."
"No idea, huh? Well, do you know how you got here?"
"Kero kero. Kero. Kero kero kero kero kero. Kero. Kero kero kero. Kero."
"Wow. That's the same way I got here."
"Well?" Raffina asked.
"He said he was just minding his own business at the pond when this strange yellow light blinded him. Next thing he knew, he was here."
"Kero kero kero. Kero. Kero kero. Kero."
"And then, he was chased by a giant snake into this room. It couldn't fit inside here. So he stayed in hiding since that day."
"I see." I said. "Well, we could explain everything while we take the Puyo Soul back."
"Come on, Raina. You're going to have to help me." Raffina said.
"Sure thing, Sis."
"K-Kero?"
"What did he say?"
"He's asking why is there two of you, Raffina." Lidelle translated.
"Oh, that. Like Amitie said, we'll explain on the way back. It's a long story."
"K-Kero…" Dongurigaeru didn't know what to think of that. But it sounded like he agreed to it.
Raffina and Raina grabbed the Puyo Soul and we started making our way out of this ruin-styled maze.
…
Hopefully, the same way we came here.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: The Yellow Puyo Soul has finally been found! Our group of heroes are one step closer to saving Dream Land from a horrible demise. Can they stop Dark Red Amitie in time? Read on to find out.
So some minor changes have been made. First off, the number of Puyo Souls has decreased from 6 to 5. Thinking it over, 5 just made more sense to me. Specific chapters have already been changed to line up with this.
You know how some games have characters that don't affect the plot whatsoever and are just there? Well, I wanted to implement that. And since the Kirby universe has Chilly, I thought it would be fun to add Dongurigaeru from the Puyo Puyo universe for that exact reason. (By the way, "kero" means ribbit in Japanese. He just sounds better saying that over ribbit.)
Anyway, thanks for reading. Next chapter coming soon. Later.